Russia from Above

Russia from Above is a large-format gift edition showcasing 100 aerial photographs of Russia, from the Baltic Sea and forests to the Far East and Kamchatka. The book is built around panoramic views, making the relationship between image, scale, and open space an essential part of the editorial design.

The layout uses a simple grid and a deliberately restrained typographic system, allowing the photographs to remain the main focus. Instead of filling the large format with information, the design uses generous amounts of white space to create a calm, spacious rhythm throughout the book. Three main spread types provide enough variation to accommodate different images and text while keeping the overall structure consistent.

The panoramic character of the photography also informed the cover design. Two editions were developed with different covers, both using a minimal visual approach that reflects the scale and sense of distance found in the aerial images. The covers treat the panorama itself as the main visual idea rather than adding unnecessary graphic elements.

The combination of a large physical format, generous white space, clean typography, and carefully controlled variation gives the book the character of a contemporary gift edition. The design is intentionally quiet, creating enough space for the photographs to communicate the unusual landscapes and perspectives that define the project.